Extensive revisions to disabilities regulations are effective December 30, 2012. This section has been updated to reflect these new regulations.
When a disability or the need for an accommodation is not known or obvious, you can ask an employee for reasonable documentation about his/her disability and its functional limitations that require reasonable accommodation.
The Amended Disability Regulations provide detailed guidance on documentation requirements under California law. Reasonable medical documentation states that an employee has a physical or mental condition that limits a major life activity, and describes why the employee or applicant needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to:
- Participate in the application process or be considered for the job,
- Perform job duties, or
- Enjoy benefits and privileges of employment equal to non-disabled employees.